Chicago Marathon Officials Rethink Security In Wake Of Boston Bombings
By Chuck Sudo in News on Apr 17, 2013 8:30PM
The Boston Marathon bombings have officials at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and other Illinois races reevaluating security plans in the wake of the tragedy.
Chicago Marathon director Carey Pinkowski told the Tribune the events in Boston has them focusing on their own security plan. Pinkowski believes, given the sheer number of runners and spectators lining the race's route, they can still provide adequate safety and ensure non-credentialed personnel can't get into the start and finish lines. The Chicago marathon doesn't have a security coordinator. Pinkowski coordinates security procedures with Chicago Police while the race's operations director handles contracted security.
Down in Urbana-Champaign, officials with the Illinois Marathon told the Daily Illini they met with area police authorities to discuss safety for the Illinois Marathon and associated races happening from April 25 to 27. Marathon emergency services coordinator Scott Friedlein said, “We’re going to continue to monitor what’s going on in Boston and apply what we know from there to our marathon and make determinations to ensure public safety as much as we can."
Registration for the Illinois Marathon is just under 20,000 runners.
Back in Chicago, runner Kate Napelton has put together an April 22 charity run to raise money for the American Red Cross' efforts in assisting victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. The run will take place at the Lakefront trail at Monroe at 5:30 p.m.